making a trip with a pair of compressors to Chicago IM pretty sure ill have to stop at the scales IM not sure what the Max weight i can haul without a cdl is my trailer probably weighs around 5k and the compressors weigh around 12k what do you guys think

Legally, anything you transport for hire requires a CDL, legally. But they dont pay much attention to a 1/2 ton hauling toilet paper. That kind of wieght will most likely have you in big trouble by exceeding the limits of your truck, limits on your registration, insurance and so on. If they are YOUR compressors then you may have to make 2 trips.

Thanks for the help Tim. The reason I ask is because I have never hauled this much weight past a weight station before, so IM not really used to being legal when its just around here and most of the time and usually its for farm use. As for my registration its set at 25,001 and IM pretty sure my insurance is OK since i have insurance through my fathers company and that's who IM hauling for and as for the cdl take a look at #2

i found this on a web site
When do I need an Arkansas CDL instead of my regular Arkansas Drivers License?
An Arkansas CDL is required if you operate any of the following CMV's . . .
1. A vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 lbs.
2. A vehicle towing a unit with a manufacturer's GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. when the GCWR exceeds 26,000 lbs.
3. A vehicle used to . . .(a.) carry 15 or more passengers (excluding the driver), or (b.) carry (15) or less people (including the driver) when carrying children to or from school and home regularly for compensation.

Do you think IM in the clear about the cdl.

So what other requirements do I need to meet?

Thanks for the help in advance guys I know this must be hard to read IM just really frantic IM supposed to leave out tomorrow and I really want to be legal.

OK here we go. 1st off. What is your truck licensed at. since it is a 3500 I will guess 12k 2nd. what is your trailer GVW at. If it is a gooseneck, probably 14k Any combination vehicle with a gvw over 26,000 lbs requires a comercial license. If your Gross Combination Vehicle Weight is under 26k your fine with the license but make sure that your load is not bigger then what your GCVW. Good luck

There is a huge amount of confusion on this subject. I am lucky enough to have a Class A CDL, but going thru the scales just last week there were two 3rd Gen 3500 Dodges awaiting a huge ticket. Nothing will allow a vehicle to exceed its GCVWR. These two dodge's had Kentucky farm tag's which register a vehicle at 38k lbs. I have these tags on almost all of my vehicles except two cars. The problem with these trucks it they were hauling GN trailers rated at 20k and they had loads that were 19k. They thought they were good and within the limits of the trailer. Guess nobody told them the weight of the trailer needs to be included. I have hauled many of trailer overloaded down the lane between farms with tractor in front and truck behind me all with hazards and that is still against the law. I know in Kentucky the DOT is hitting the RV's hard due to 1/2ton trucks pulling 1 ton and heavier loads, and sadly people are dying. But I don't think I would dare try and pull 17k on a 3500 past any scale. I belive and might be wrong but a 3500 of your year is rated for 12k. But assuming your truck is very light low fuel nothing in the truck and your trailer is rated for over 17k you might be able to squeeze past. But at 25001 that means your truck must weigh under 8001lbs. My 3500 weighs 9850lbs with the transfer tank empty. I have a heavy flat bed and ranch hand bumper. I am not trying to start any fights but I just figured I would pass what I know. Thats why I ended up with larger trucks for some of my trailers. Hope this helps

I agree its a PITA trying to come up with definitive answer on towing amounts.

I want to purchase a used 04/05 ctd 3500 4x2.
However from what some say I will be over my gcwr and therefore not legal.
I won't be over my gawr or my gvwr. According to a Virginia DOT official I spoke to I can be over my gcwr as long as I have the proper class license. How would a Dot official on the road know my vehicles gcwr? The only thing listed on tag is Gawr and Gvwr?
Assuming the following Truck 7,500lb (4x2)
5th wheel 3,500 lb 20% of trailer
2 people/bag lunch 500lb
--------------
11,500 gcwr legal!
I see a lot of people posting loads over 23,000 gcwr per dodges ratings.

Okay I was getting lost in all the GCVW. So your trying to tell me with truck and trailer I am going to get a ticket IF i get weighed and I am over my Gross Combination weight on my door. I am tagged to 20K, but my truck's curb weight is 11500, with miller welder torch bottles air compressor and tools in front of the gooseneck ball. Empty 36 ft flatbed with tandem 12k gets me 21200. With 12k axles you get really awesome trailer brakes and hey I got cummins under the hood. I hate to say it but I have went past weigh stations (never pulling in of coarse) weighing 45k+. Just for the record I have a class A CDL and have a lot of experience with not stopping on a dime. I do not want to recommend this to anyone unless you have a lot of experience with it but these trucks feel pretty cumfortable up to about 42000, it gets a little scary after that.

The sticker on the door represents how much you can carry, not pull. If it says 11,500 then thats the max your truck should weigh loaded, trailer pin weights included. GVW is the rating of truck, trailer and load max. I think mine has the 23,000 lb rating. My truck with my 5ver, full tank and passengers including dog weighs in at 22,500lbs. That gives my 500lbs leeway.

I've crossed a scale at the port of entry in North Sioux City, South Dakota in the company's 2000 F-350 PS with a 30 foot gooseneck loaded with brick and with 4 guys, all our luggage, trailer, and brick we weighed a few pounds over 33,000. The truck had South Dakota commercial plates with 17 ton tags and they waved us thru. I figure we had about 18000 lbs of brick on the trailer. I posess a CDL